AutomationML is a neutral data format based on XML

XML

Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....

 for the storage and exchange of plant engineering information, which is provided as open standard

Open standard

An open standard is a standard that is publicly available and has various rights to use associated with it, and may also have various properties of how it was designed . There is no single definition and interpretations vary with usage....

. Goal of AutomationML is to interconnect the heterogeneous tool landscape of modern engineering tools in their different disciplines, e.g. mechanical plant engineering, electrical design, HMI development, PLC, robot control.

Approach

AutomationML describes real plant components as objects encapsulating different aspects.
An object can consist out of other sub-objects, and can itself be part of a bigger composition. It can describe a screw, a claw, a robot or a complete manufacturing cell in different levels of detail.
Typical objects in plant automation comprise information about topology

Topology

Topology is a major area of mathematics concerned with properties that are preserved under continuous deformations of objects, such as deformations that involve stretching, but no tearing or gluing...

, geometry

Geometry

Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....

, kinematics

Kinematics

Kinematics is the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies and systems without consideration of the forces that cause the motion....

 and logic

Logic

In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...

, where logic

Logic

In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...

 comprises sequencing, behaviour and control.

AutomationML incorporates different standards through strongly typed links across the formats:

1. Topology
   Topology
   Topology is a major area of mathematics concerned with properties that are preserved under continuous deformations of objects, such as deformations that involve stretching, but no tearing or gluing...
   
    implemented with CAEX
   CAEX
   CAEX is a neutral data format that allows storage of hierarchical object information, e.g. the hierarchical architecture of a plant. On a certain abstraction level, a plant consists in modules or components that are interconnected. CAEX allows storage of those modules or components by means of...
   
    (IEC 62424)
   Properties and relations of objects in their hierarchical structure
2. Geometry
   Geometry
   Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
   
    implemented with COLLADA
   COLLADA
   COLLADA is a COLLAborative Design Activity for establishing an interchange file format for interactive 3D applications. COLLADA is managed by the nonprofit technology consortium, the Khronos Group....
   
    of the Khronos Group
   Khronos Group
   The Khronos Group is a not-for-profit member-funded industry consortium based in Beaverton, Oregon, focused on the creation of open standard, royalty-free APIs to enable the authoring and accelerated playback of dynamic media on a wide variety of platforms and devices...
   
   
   Graphical attributes and 3D information
3. Kinematics
   Kinematics
   Kinematics is the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies and systems without consideration of the forces that cause the motion....
   
    implemented with COLLADA
   COLLADA
   COLLADA is a COLLAborative Design Activity for establishing an interchange file format for interactive 3D applications. COLLADA is managed by the nonprofit technology consortium, the Khronos Group....
   
   
   Connections and dependencies among objects to support motion planning
4. Logic
   Logic
   In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
   
    implemented with PLCopen XML
   Sequences of actions, internal behavior of objects and I/O connections

For future extensions, AutomationML is designed to integrate further formats using the same referencing mechanism.

History

After first evaluations of exchange formats, Daimler initiated the joint activity of the companies ABB

Asea Brown Boveri

ABB is a Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, and best known for its robotics. ABB operates mainly in the power and automation technology areas. It ranked 143rd in Forbes Ranking ....

, KUKA

KUKA

KUKA is a leading German producer of industrial robots for a variety of industries - from automotive and fabricated metals to food and plastics...

, Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation is a global provider of industrial automation, power, control and information solutions. Brands in industrial automation include Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Software....

 and Siemens

Siemens AG

Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....

 together with netAllied and Zühlke as well as the University of Karlsruhe and the University of Magdeburg

Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg

The Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg was founded in 1993 and is one of the youngest universities in Germany. The university in Magdeburg has about 13,000 students in nine faculties. There are 11,700 papers published in international journals from this institute...

 in October 2006 to define and standardize the Automation Markup Language (AutomationML) as an intermediate format for the Digital Factory.
In April 2009, an independent organization was founded; the Fraunhofer IITB institute became the first new member.
AutomationML is available as open standard

Open standard

An open standard is a standard that is publicly available and has various rights to use associated with it, and may also have various properties of how it was designed . There is no single definition and interpretations vary with usage....

free of charge.